REVIEW: GreenLight Bigfoot #1 Ford F-250 Monster Truck w/ 66" Tires • DiecastSociety.com

REVIEW: GreenLight Bigfoot #1 Ford F-250 Monster Truck w/ 66″ Tires

When it comes to American sport, one would think of football maybe baseball would be all the all-American choice.  But once upon a time, in the mid-eighties, there was birth to a new sport.  This new sport required that you catch a little air…  today it’s better known as monster truck racing.  And today it’s as mainstream as good old American apple pie!  The pioneer and narrative of the monster truck can be directly linked back to one individual, Bob Chandler.  His world-famous creation is known as Bigfoot.  The approach was simple in theory, big motor, big horsepower and even bigger wheels!  Over the years Bigfoot has evolved with many variants, in total eighteen different tire and wheel combinations.  Today this monster truck usually rests on standard-issue 66″ Firestone Flotation tires.  We think it’s the perfect mix.

Until late 2019, there was no 1:18 scale version available.  The best, and in our opinion still is the unsurpassed replica is the example from Franklin Mint.  However, the Franklin Mint replica was completed in 1:24.  We need something more majestic!  Enter GreenLight Collectibles…  With their recently introduced “Kings of Crunch” series the brand unveiled an array of monster trucks in a couple of scales and different livery too, two of which are models of Bigfoot #1 Ford F-250 (1974) Monster Truck.  One features standard wheels based on the initial conception and the second, our favourite, the awesome looking 66” tire/wheel combo, which is under the microscope today.

A little insight for those who aren’t in the know.  GreenLight’s version is made of diecast metal, well the body is.  The remainder is mostly plastic with a few additional metal bits throughout.  Full access is available, this includes forward sweeping hood, doors and rear tailgate – unfortunately for us, our example had an issue with the rear taillight.  No matter how hard we tried there was no way of getting her to open!

Retail on this piece, here is Canada $129.95 before tax.  Not too shabby based on where the average 1:18 scale piece comes in today. And if you’re wondering the overall dimensions of the truck are 11.5” inches front to back and overall height 7.4” inches to the top of the auxiliary lights.

Let’s jump to the exterior first.  The paint application is decent and consistent throughout the exterior.  There is, however, little too much orange peel effect for our liking.  Decal work is good.  Each decal is a simple piece placed on top of the paint itself.  Note the front located “Bigfoot” on the hood.  Someone was way too eager here.  How this passed quality control makes one wonder…  As for the shutlines and panel gaps, they are very good.  This model is noted as Bigfoot #1.  We studied many photos and each presented a different arrangement of manufacture branding and or Bigfoot logos.  We’re not Bigfoot historians so defining what is true or authentic is somewhat challenging.

Trim work is pretty cool, well think so.  GreenLight did deliver some effort with the chrome and dimensional look, notably with the trim running the centre of the body from front to back.  Well done.  As for the remainder of the chrome work, it’s in between good and average.  Fitting for the price point at best.  Note the poorly placed door handle in the photo above.

The front lower section highlights a large chrome bumper, unquestionably basic looking to the naked eye.  Within the bumper, you find a wench and KC decals both are authentic to the original truck.  Moving backward, you get a better look at the horrible Bigfoot decal placement.  Protruding through the hood is the K&N air fitters and Predator carbs, each in threes.  Overall execution is low tech, but it gets the job done.

The front sweeping hood is easy to operate and reveals a massive power planet, this was state of the art for the period.  Fun fact, this motor here was originally designed for motorboats.  Allen Root valve covers are noted, massive BDS blower, NOS assembly, MSD Magneto are all in check too.  Quite impressive for the price.  Other notable items include the tubing on against the firewall and the steering wheel assembly opposite side.

Typically, the rear bed of a monster truck is covered from view, with this example, it is removed, revealing the fuel cell and dual batteries.  Both present average details.  Dual roll bars sit neatly behind the cab, the first features six auxiliary lights.  Chrome work is very poor and pitted, unfortunately.  As noted, earlier tailgate won’t open, though we do appreciate the accuracy with tailgate with OEM Ford elements and appropriate decals and custom paintwork.

When you flip the model over to the side the undercarriage detail is revealed.  There is much going on here, and rightly so.  First, you find the remaining exhaust exits based on the short trip from the headers.  All the suspension components are re-created in hard plastic as well as the drive-shafts and related components.  None of the driving shafts are functional either.  This model is completely static with zero articulation.  Seven shocks in total are located here, each is defined with Blue paint.  This is the only area receiving any colour, otherwise, it is all noted in Black.  Front and rear feature the braking structure housed near the axles; we have to admit this is uber cool tech for the period.

Tires are crafted in hard plastic and feature the Firestone script on each.  Definitely a good thing for long term display.  This replica has some serious weight!  As for rims, the overall depth isn’t true to the original Bigfoot, however, the detail here is very good.  Steering is also static front and rear.

Both doors are operational on the interior side.  Nice attention to detail on the upper chrome “L” shaped trim.  Inside the interior is quite basic from a material perspective.  The plush trim work which is found in Blue is quite basic, for example, doors trim, cab roof is a simple one-dimensional hard plastic piece.  Also, dash elements are simple stickers.

On the plus side, there is a lot to explore here too.  Aftermarket gauge located on the dash is a nice touch.  Centre console is loaded with informational gauges.  We do appreciate the effort from GreenLight.

With price point in mind, we have to give GreenLight Collectibles two thumbs up.  The Bigfoot #1 Ford F-250 Monster Truck does have some serious shelf presence.  Throw in full access and a low price point it is no wonder these are popular with collectors and non-collectors alike.  If your expectation is a Franklin Mint big brother, no, this model isn’t for you.  The level of detail between the two is too wide for comparison, each catering to a different customer.  This is our first GreenLight specimen under review so as for quality control issues we have no history for comparison.  But this is one aspect of production they should examine.  Curious, how was your model?  But the two major flaws are poorly applied decal and the rear tailgate that doesn’t open.  If the Bigfoot story does not fit the bill, GreenLight has a number available liveries available of other fan-favourite monster trucks, we suggest you check them out.  Enjoy the pics!

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15 Responses to "REVIEW: GreenLight Bigfoot #1 Ford F-250 Monster Truck w/ 66″ Tires"

  1. alex says:

    The rear tailgate open, you need move the laterals a bit

  2. Ilka says:

    I seriously consider getting one of these, but probably in plain color, strip the bigfoot part away, fabricate a new frame and turn it into drag truck.

  3. Shawn says:

    A size comparison with regular 1:18 cars would’ve been cool.

    If they ever make a Rolling Thunder monster truck, I’m in.

  4. woody says:

    I had a major issue with the doors on mine. The floors would literally hang open and down. They would not close. I wanted to return it but the dealer had no more to offer so I decided to investigate. I took the whole truck apart which was actually quite a bit o fun! turns out that the stems that the screws which attach the doors screw into were too deep or long effectively causing the screw to bottom out and become ineffective. this caused the door hinge to remain exceptionally loose thus causing the door to hang loose. I fixed it by filing the stem down until the screw became effective. all in all, tho I find that the model has way too many ill-fitting parts making it difficult to believe that QC was actually in the same room as the model upon assembly and completion. even with its simplistic features and lack of detailing this model could have been so much better with some attention paid to proper assembly.

  5. Steve Mason says:

    Definitely one outstanding model truck. Bigfoot was the original monster truck and Greenlight did an fantastic job on this one…

  6. Kane says:

    I have the original 48” wheel version. Can the 48” wheel version be changed for 66” tires? I see greenlight sell a 66” tire pack with axels but couldnt find out how to take off the tires off of my one and weather the new 66” ones would fit

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